We are a multidisciplinary innovation studio workingwith diverse partners to understand sustainability challenges and identify holistic, resilient solutions, and we are committed to training the next generation of leaders.

This week President Obama approved funding for the CTA to modernize the Lawrence through Bryn Mawr stations, and add a flyover at Belmont. Elevators will be added to the four stations currently without, and the flyover will significantly increase train capacity...

I was excited to find this GreenBiz article (https://www.greenbiz.com/node/106582), which discusses tangible strategies for environmental non-profits to increase and support diversity at all levels of their organization. At Foresight Prep we prioritize recruiting a diverse cohort of high school students each year, and as I watch our talented alumni grow into young professionals, I am thrilled to see more organizations gearing up to welcome them into our sector.

I'm a big fan of the Nonprofit With Balls blog, and especially appreciate this sassy-but-informative post about the facts and fictions about nonprofit "watchdogs." Whether you're a nonprofit veteran looking to dispel myths, or a potential donor wondering about holiday giving, it's a useful and enlightening read.

Last week, I attended a roundtable hosted by the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), where experts talked about their efforts to address urban flooding through community engagement, application of new stormwater models, and collaboration with other entities. My main takeaway was that communities most need capacity and funding to tackle this chronic issue, both of which MPC is seeking to provide with two newtools.

I was proud to read a recent Fast Company article about efforts to make government services more user-friendly in my hometown of Gainesville, Florida. After conducting user research with support from IDEO, they developed innovations like a "Department of Doing" to guide residents through government processes. It's an inspiring story, and one that I will keep an eye on.

If there's one thing that I've learned from projects that depend on collaboration between organizations, it's that the process of getting and balancing input can be just as important as the outcome itself. This recent article from Vox, about a carbon tax initiative in Washington state, is an illustrative example of why strategic and deliberate collaboration is necessary to tackle complex issues.

A new public-private initiative called the Partnership for Resilience and Preparedness (PREP) has launched a portal to visualize geographic data on various climate change impacts, including projected droughts, rainfall, and hot days. Though it's still in the beta stage, the interactive map has the potential to be a useful tool for understanding how these impacts will affect our environment.

The finalists have been announced for the 5th Annual BOOST funding night on November 16, a live, crowd-funded pitch fest for promising sustainability startups. As a member of the Delta Emerging Leaders, the group organizing the event, I'm looking forward to meeting these entrepreneurs and hearing them present their ideas. You can too: early bird tickets are available until October 1!

A fascinating New York Times article from last week poses an interesting question: Is it possible to tap into teenage rebelliousness as a source for social good? The strategies outlined in the article hold important lessons for efforts like Foresight Prep @ Oberlin, which is designed to empower the next generation to tackle our most pressing challenges.

Last week California lawmakers passed SB 32 which, following Governor Brown's signature of approval, will mandate the state's greenhouse gas emissions be lowered 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. The new bill expands upon California's existing target of reaching 1990 emissions levels by 2020, which the state is on track to hit even as their population and economy continue to grow. It will be interesting to watch and learn from the strategies the state will employ to achieve its impressive goal.